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Prophecy (2022) Board Game

ByMichail

Prophecy is a card game released in 2022 by IELLO. Designed by Christopher Haviland and Robert A. Kamp, the game features artwork by Philippe Tytgat. It is a strategic game where players must make predictive bids and engage in trick-taking to outsmart their opponents.

Game Components of Prophecy

  • Characters:** Each player selects a character with varying strengths and willpower.
  • Adventure Cards:** These include encounters with monsters, NPCs, and various events.
  • Chance Deck:** Governs the game’s progression and includes cards that affect all players.
  • Transportation:** Players use different means of transport, such as ports and magic portals, to move around the board.
  • Training Cards:** Used for character improvement.
  • Guilds:** Five guilds where players can perform special actions or buy training cards.
  • Astral Planes:** Areas where players must defeat Lesser and Greater Guardians to obtain ancient artifacts.
  • Dice:** Used for resolving combat and other interactions.

    How To Setup Prophecy

    To set up the game, players start by selecting their characters, each of which has different amounts of strength and willpower tracked by cubes. Each character belongs to two guilds. The board is seeded with adventure cards, and the chance deck is prepared. Players begin by drawing a chance card, which can introduce new cards to the board, heal players, or recharge willpower.

    Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

  • Movement:** Players can move one space for free, two spaces for a gold, or use ports and magic portals for specific costs.
  • Encounters:** Players interact with adventure cards, which can be enemies, NPCs, or events.
  • Combat:** Resolved by rolling dice and adding the relevant stat (strength or willpower).
  • Character Improvement:** Players can learn skills, cast spells, and buy training cards.
  • Astral Planes:** Players must defeat Lesser and Greater Guardians to claim ancient artifacts.
  • Objective:** The first player to obtain four of the five hidden artifacts becomes the next king of the land.

    Player Experience

    Players embark on a journey through a fantasy world, building their characters by fighting monsters, learning skills, and interacting with various encounters. The game offers a mix of strategy and luck, with players having significant control over their actions but also being subject to random events and dice rolls.

    Pros

  • Control Over Actions:** Unlike roll-and-move games, players have choices in movement and encounters.
  • Variety in Encounters:** A large number of unique adventure cards ensures varied gameplay.
  • Character Development:** Players can significantly improve their characters through training and experience.
  • Cooperative and Solo Play:** Official expansions introduce co-op and solo play options.

    Cons

  • Luck Factor:** Dice rolls and chance deck cards introduce unpredictability.
  • Complexity:** The game involves many components and rules, which can be overwhelming.
  • Component Quality:** Some players find the small card size less appealing.

    Personal Thoughts on Prophecy

    Prophecy is ideal for fans of fantasy adventure games who enjoy character development and strategic gameplay. It offers a deeper and more interactive experience compared to similar games like Talisman. While it may not be as well-known, it is a gem for those who appreciate complex, immersive board games. However, it may not be the best fit for players seeking a quick or simple game due to its complexity and lengthy playtime.

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    • Michail, a seasoned tabletop enthusiast, dives headfirst into worlds of fantasy and strategy. Whether commanding a party of adventurers through perilous dungeons or engaging in tactical showdowns on the board, Michail is the maestro of the tabletop realm. Michail's gaming table is a realm where the clatter of dice and the shuffle of cards create a symphony of strategic chaos.

    Hobby: Miniature painting guru, turning pewter into masterpieces
    Preferred Game: Dungeons & Dragons, but always up for a board game brawl

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